Control apparatus for vehicle-use electric power generator

ABSTRACT

To prevent the revolving speed of an electric-power generator driving engine from abruptly increasing when electric power generation by an electric power generator which supplies electric power to a wheel-driving motor is stopped. A control apparatus  4  for a vehicle-use electric power generator, intended to control the amount of electric power generated by an electric power generator  2  which is connected to, and driven by, an engine  1  for driving a vehicle, wherein a wheel speed detection means  7  is equipped to ensure that when the amount of electric power generated is to be reduced, if the wheels are not slipping, the amount of electric power generation by the electric power generator is slowly reduced in comparison with the case that the wheels are slipping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. <Field of the Invention>

[0002] The present invention relates to such a control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator that can control the amount of electric power supplied to a vehicle-driving assist motor.

[0003] 2. <Prior Art>

[0004] A method of reducing the output of an engine by using an electronically controlled throttle or the like is known as a method in which, when the load on the engine decreases, increases in engine speed and the slipping of wheels will be avoided or minimized.

[0005] A control method for preventing engine stall when the electric power generation amount of the electric power generator used in a vehicle is abruptly increased in an attempt to augment the driving force of its motor abruptly, is also disclosed in Japanese Application Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2000-142155.

[0006] In a vehicle having an electric power generator connected to the engine for driving the vehicle, reduction in the amount of electric power to be generated is likely to reduce the electric power generating torque of the generator, thereby causing the torque of the engine to become correspondingly excessive, and resulting in the engine speed being increased, the vehicle being abruptly accelerated, and a feeling of uneasiness being given to the driver.

[0007] These events are particularly prone to occur in a vehicle constructed so that either the front or rear wheels are driven by the engine and so that the other wheels not driven by the engine are driven by a motor to which electric power is supplied from an electric power generator driven by the engine.

[0008] For these vehicles, since the electric power generating torque of the power generator is large, the excessive engine torque generated when the torque generated by the motor decreases will also become significant.

[0009] Accordingly, when the torque of the motor is abruptly reduced, the torque of the wheels driven by the engine will also increase significantly and such abrupt increases in engine speed and abrupt acceleration of the vehicle that the driver does not intend may occur. In extreme cases, as shown in FIG. 9, the wheels driven by the engine slip and the acceleration of the vehicle becomes unstable.

[0010] The present inventors have newly discovered the above-described problems in the control of a vehicle constructed so that either one of the rear wheels is driven by the engine and so that the other wheels not driven by the engine are driven by a motor to which electric power is supplied from an electric power generator driven by the engine.

[0011] With regard to the foregoing problems, however, although it is easily conceivable to reduce the torque of the engine by using an electronically controlled throttle, this method has the disadvantage that acceleration characteristics easily deteriorate. Also, an electronically controlled throttle is required for the control of the engine, and the control itself becomes complex.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An object of the present invention is to supply not only a vehicle which, by adopting a simplified system configuration, can attain smooth acceleration even after driving by the motor has been stopped and the vehicle driving source has been switched to engine driving only, and can run at stable engine speed, but also a control apparatus for an electric power generator.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator, based on the present invention, is equipped with a slip detection means for detecting the slipping of wheels of a vehicle and is designed so that when slipping is not detected by the slip detection means, this electric power generator control apparatus for controlling the amount of electric power generated by the power generator connected to and driven by the engine driving the vehicle will slowly reduce the amount of electric power generated by the power generator, in comparison with the case that slipping is detected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 shows the vehicle to which the present invention has been applied;

[0015]FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the basic control blocks constructed to reduce the amount of electric power generation by the electric power generator;

[0016]FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the control blocks for determining the reduction rate of the amount of electric power generation by the electric power generator;

[0017]FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the control blocks for determining the reduction rate of the amount of electric power when no wheels are slipping;

[0018]FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the control blocks for determining the reduction rate of the amount of electric power when an example of the accelerator pedaling patterns of the driver is considered;

[0019]FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the control blocks for determining the target electric power generation amount of the electric power generator;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a diagram showing changes in the electric power generation amount and torque obtained by applying the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining the results of control that have been obtained when slipping was detected; and

[0022]FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining the results of control that have been obtained when no slipping was detected.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention is described below. A vehicle with a mounted electric power generator control apparatus for controlling the amount of electric power generated by the power generator is shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] This engine comprises an engine 1 that generates driving force, drive wheels 9 a and 9 b that are driven using the driving force of the engine, an electric power generator 2 driven by the engine and generating electric power, a controller 4 for controlling the amount of electric power generated by the power generator.

[0025] The engine comprises further a motor 5 for generating motor assist force, wheels 8 a and 8 b driven by the motor, and a differential 6 for distributing the driving force of the motor to the two wheels, 8 a and 8 b, and containing a clutch by which the driving force of the motor is activated and deactivated.

[0026] The engine comprises further wheel speed sensors 7 for detecting the rotational speed of each wheel, wiring 10 through which the electric current generated by the power generator is to be inducted into the motor, a signal line 2 through which the amount of electric power generation by the power generator 2 is controlled from the controller 4, and an accelerator pedal sensor for detecting the amount of step-on operation of an accelerator pedal not shown in the figure (that is to say, for detecting the opening angle of a throttle).

[0027] Signals from the accelerator pedal sensor and the wheel speed sensors 7 are transmitted to the controller 4. The front wheels of this vehicle are driven by the engine, and the rear wheels are driven by the motor.

[0028] Usually, this vehicle runs while driving its drive wheels 9 by means of the engine 1. As the case may be, however, at low speeds (up to about 30 km/h), wheels 8 not driven by the engine are driven by the motor 5.

[0029] At speeds exceeding about 30 km/h, the clutch built into the differential 6 is disconnected because the deterioration in the efficiency of the motor 5 due to a significant loss of energy stops supply of electric power to the motor, and in order to prevent excessive rotation of the motor due to the simultaneous rotation thereof with, and incited by, the drive wheels 8, and in order to prevent the loss of energy due to the frictional resistance of the differential and motor.

[0030] When the vehicle starts from its stationary status and runs at a speed overstepping its low-speed range, although, as described above, the motor is stopped and the clutch inside the differential is disconnected, power generation by the power generator to which the motor is connected must be stopped to stop the motor, and the controller 4 stops the power generation.

[0031] If the power generation is suddenly stopped by the controller 4, the engine torque that has been consumed by the power generator will suddenly become excessive and the torque will be abruptly transmitted to the wheels driven by the engine and may lead to shocks, wheel slipping, and/or abrupt increases in engine speed. In order to prevent these events from occurring, the controller 4 conducts the following control:

[0032] An outline of the control conducted to reduce the torque of the motor is shown in FIG. 2. In order to reduce the torque of the motor, the rate at which the amount of electric power generated by the power generator is to be reduced is examined in block 21.

[0033] In block 22, the amount of electric power to be generated is determined on the basis of the arithmetic results obtained in block 21. In block 23, the electric power generation amount of the power generator is actually controlled to match the electric power generation amount that was determined in block 22.

[0034] Because of this configuration, the rate of reduction can be set to various values when the amount of electric power generated is to be reduced.

[0035] The contents of the block 21 are shown in FIG. 3. Signals from the wheel speed sensors functioning as a wheel speed detection means to measure the rotational speed of each wheel are received in block to be 31.

[0036] In order to examine the occurrence of slipping, the difference in speed between the front and rear wheels, in particular, is examined in block 32 on the basis of the detection signals of the wheel speed sensors.

[0037] If the speed of the rear wheels is higher, the rear wheels are judged to be slipping, and the control sequence advances to block 33. If the rear wheels are not slipping, the control sequence advances to block 34.

[0038] In blocks 33 and 34, the reduction rate of the electric power generation amount is specified as a coefficient (K). There is a positive correlation between the coefficient (K) and the reduction rate, and when the coefficient (K) is increased, the reduction rate will also be reduced.

[0039] In block 33, the value of the coefficient K is always greater than in block 34. That is to say, when slipping is detected, the amount of electric power to be generated will always be reduced at a higher rate than in the case that no slipping is detected. The reason is described below.

[0040] The vehicle in the present mode of embodiment uses the engine as the driving source for the front wheels, and the motor as the driving source for the rear wheels.

[0041] In general, since the slipping of the rear wheels makes the vehicle prone to spin, it is preferable that slipping the rear wheels should be avoided as far as possible.

[0042] For this vehicle, in the event that the rear wheels slip, to stop the slipping rapidly, it is effective to immediately reduce the torque of the motor, namely, the amount of electric power to be generated. In case of such slipping, therefore, the coefficient (K) is set so that the reduction rate is increased.

[0043] Conversely, if no such slipping is occurring, abrupt reduction in the amount of electric power generated must be avoided. Otherwise, the torque to the wheels driven by the engine will abruptly increase, resulting in the possible slipping of the front wheels as well.

[0044] If the rear wheels are not slipping, therefore, the coefficient (K) stored in block 34 will be adopted. The value of this coefficient (K) is smaller than the coefficient (K) stored in block 33.

[0045] In block 22, a new control target relating to the amount of electric power to be generated is determined according to the electric power generation amount reduction rate that was determined in block 21.

[0046] The amount of electric power generated is not always linearly proportional to the electric power generating torque, and abrupt changes in the torque are likely to appear when the amount of electric power generated is reduced. In order to prevent such changes, therefore, the amount of electric power generated by the power generator is replaced with the torque thereof first.

[0047] Next, the torque is reduced at the prescribed reduction rate. Finally, the torque is replaced with the amount of electric power and then the power generator is controlled according to this electric power amount. It is possible, by providing such control, to reduce torque smoothly, to prevent engine torque from changing abruptly, and thus to obtain smoother acceleration of the vehicle.

[0048] Since, as described above, depending on whether the rear wheels are slipping, the reduction rate of the amount of electric power generated by the power generator is set, this control method is effective in that if the motor-driven wheels slip, the driving torque of the motor can be rapidly reduced, and in that if no such slipping occurs, the torque of the wheels driven by the engine can be increased smoothly.

[0049] The method of stopping the power generator more smoothly even when no slipping is occurring is described below using FIG. 4. In this case, block 34 is replaced with blocks 41 to 49. When the absence of slipping is judged in block 32, the engine speed will be computed from the engine speed sensor pulse width in block 41, and then in block 42, the opening angle of the throttle valve will be calculated using the signal sent from the throttle valve opening angle sensor.

[0050] The results obtained in blocks 41 and 42 will be checked against an engine torque two-dimensional table having a prestored set of throttle valve opening angles and engine speeds, as its parameters, and hereby, engine torque will be calculated, in block 43. The results will be transmitted to block 49.

[0051] In block 44, the present output voltage of the power generator is detected, in blocks 45, the present output current of the power generator is detected, and in block 46, the amount of electric power being generated is calculated.

[0052] In block 47, the engine speed that was calculated in block 41 is received, and in block 48, the present electric power generating torque is calculated from the power generator's power generating torque table containing the amount of electric power generated by the power generator, and the speed of the engine, as its parameters.

[0053] After this, in block 49, the torque of the engine is divided by the electric power generating torque of the power generator to calculate the ratio of the engine torque with respect to the torque of the power generator, and then this ratio is multiplied by an experimentally calculated constant that varies from vehicle to vehicle. The coefficient (K) representing the reduction rate of the amount of electric power generated is obtained as a result.

[0054] When the electric power generating torque is greater than the engine torque, that is to say, when the excessive engine torque generated by the stoppage of electric power generation is great, the reduction rate of the amount of electric power generated is reduced, subject to the coefficient (K) that has been above-calculated as an electric power amount reduction rate from the ratio of the engine torque with respect to the electric power generating torque.

[0055] By executing blocks 41 to 49, the reduction rate of the amount of electric power generated can be reduced when the amount of electric power is too large, and the abrupt occurrence of excessive engine torque when the amount of electric power generated is reduced can be suppressed.

[0056] Although, during this sequence, the reduction rate of the amount of electric power generated is determined from the current engine torque and the current electric power generating torque of the power generator, the reduction rate of the amount of electric power generated can likewise be determined as follows to reduce the amount of electric power at a rate desirable for the vehicle driver:

[0057] Under a configuration that, as in the configuration of this vehicle, that has a motor connected directly to the power generator driven by the engine, energy conversion loss occurs since the power generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy and since the motor reconverts the electrical energy into mechanical energy.

[0058] When the driver desires faster acceleration, higher energy efficiency can be obtained by stopping the driving force of the motor as soon as possible and accelerating the vehicle with the driving force of the engine only.

[0059] When wishing to accelerate the vehicle rapidly, the driver usually increases the amount of stepping on the accelerator pedal (increases the opening angle of the throttle valve) or increases the stepping-on rate of the accelerator pedal).

[0060] It is therefore possible to obtain abrupt acceleration in line with the intent of the driver by storing the accelerator pedal operation patterns of the driver into memory beforehand and then stopping the driving of the motor rapidly by increasing the reduction rate of the electric power generation amount of the power generator according to the abrupt acceleration level desired.

[0061] The simplified method shown as blocks 51 to 53 in FIG. 5 is available to identify a stepping-on pattern.

[0062] In block 51, the throttle valve opening angle is detected, as in block 42. In block 52, the chronological history in block 51 is recorded and the chronological rate of change of the throttle valve opening angle is calculated from the chronological history.

[0063] In block 53, there is a table of coefficients (K) in which the current throttle valve opening angle that was calculated in block 51 and that chronological rate of change of the throttle valve opening angle which was calculated in block 52 are taken as parameters, with each coefficient (K) representing the reduction rate of the amount of electric power generation at a particular time.

[0064] This table is constructed so that as the chronological rate of change or the opening angle of the throttle valve increases, the coefficient (K) will increase.

[0065] Therefore, the coefficient (K) increases when the amount of stepping on the accelerator pedal is large or when the stepping-on rate thereof is high. As a result, the reduction rate of the electric power generation amount of the power generator increases, whereby the driving of the motor is stopped more rapidly and the acceleration of the vehicle by the driving force of the engine can be obtained.

[0066] Examples of the results that have been obtained using the control of this embodiment are shown in FIGS. 6(a) to (d). Chronological changes in the amount of electric power in the cases that the coefficient K is small and that this coefficient is large are shown as curves A and B, respectively, in FIG. 6(a).

[0067] Likewise, chronological changes in electric power generating torque, changes in engine-driven wheel torque, and hour changes in motor torque are shown in FIGS. 6(b), (c), and (d), respectively.

[0068] In the case that the coefficient K is large (curve B), the amount of electric power, electric power generating torque, and motor torque abruptly decrease, compared with the case that the coefficient K is small. Conversely, engine-driven wheel torque abruptly increases.

[0069] Chronological changes in wheel speed and in slip ratio in the case that the wheels are slipping are shown in FIG. 7. Curve B (solid line) shows the plots that have been obtained when this embodiment was employed, and the coefficient K in this case is large.

[0070] For comparison, the plots in the case that the coefficient K is small are shown as curve A (dotted line).

[0071] It can be seen that: by increasing coefficient K when the wheels are slipping, the wheel speed of the engine-driven wheels and that of the motor-driven wheels can be rapidly matched, that is to say, the slip ratio can be brought closer to zero, which indicates that stable running of the vehicle can be obtained more rapidly.

[0072] An example of application of this embodiment to the case that no wheels are slipping is shown in FIG. 8. Since no wheels are slipping, coefficient K decreases and reduction in electric power generating torque becomes slower. Hereby, the torque of the motor-driven wheels is reduced more slowly and no wheel slipping occurs.

[0073] According to the present invention, it is possible, by constructing a simplified system, to obtain smooth vehicle acceleration, even after motor driving has been stopped and the driving mode has been switched to engine driving alone, and thereby to drive the vehicle under the stable status of the engine speed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator, intended to control the amount of electric power generated by an electric power generator which supplies electric power to a vehicle-driving assist motor, wherein said control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator is characterized in that the control apparatus comprises an arithmetic section that detects the rotational status of the wheels of a vehicle in accordance with the speed signals of said wheels, creates the control signals for controlling the electric power amount of said electric power generator in accordance with the rotational status of the wheels and the rotational signals sent from said motor, and outputs the control signals, and an electric current generating section that generates the electric current to be inducted into the power control coils of the electric power generator in accordance with the control signals output from said arithmetic section.
 2. A control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator, intended to control the amount of electric power generated by an electric power generator which is connected to, and driven by, an engine for driving a vehicle, wherein said control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator is characterized in that the control apparatus is equipped with a wheel speed detection means for detecting the rotational speed of the wheels of said vehicle, and in that when the amount of electric power generated is to be reduced, if said wheels are not slipping, the amount of electric power generation by said electric power generator is slowly reduced in comparison with the case that the wheels are slipping.
 3. A control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator, intended to control the amount of electric power generated by an electric power generator which is connected to, and driven by, an engine for driving a vehicle, wherein said control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator is characterized in that the control apparatus is equipped with an engine speed detection means for detecting the revolving speed of the engine of said vehicle, a throttle valve opening angle detection means for detecting the opening angle of the throttle valve of the vehicle, and an electric power amount detection means for detecting the current amount of electric power generation, and in that the control apparatus changes the reduction rate of the electric power generation amount according to the values detected by said engine speed detection means, said throttle valve opening angle detection means, and said electric power amount detection means.
 4. The control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator, set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator is characterized in that when the amount of electric power generated is to be reduced, in the case that irrespective of the electric power generating torque detected by said electric power generation amount detection means, the throttle valve opening angle and engine speed that have been detected by said throttle valve opening angle detection means and said engine speed detection means, respectively, are maintained at the same value, the amount of electric power generated will be reduced more slowly as the electric power generating torque detected by the electric power generation amount detection means increases.
 5. A control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator, intended to control the amount of electric power generated by an electric power generator which is connected to, and driven by, an engine for driving a vehicle, and also connected to an electric motor that enables the non-driven wheels of said vehicle to be driven, wherein said control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator is characterized in that the control apparatus is equipped with a means of detecting a wheel speed, and in that in the first and second required wheel speed ranges, the amount of electric power generated will be reduced as the wheel speed increases.
 6. A control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator, intended to control the amount of electric power generated by an electric power generator which is connected to, and driven by, an engine for driving a vehicle, and also connected to an electric motor that enables the non-driven wheels of said vehicle to be driven, wherein said control apparatus for a vehicle-use electric power generator is characterized in that the control apparatus is equipped with a throttle valve opening angle detection means for detecting the opening angle of the throttle valve of said vehicle, an engine speed detection means for detecting the revolving speed of the engine of the vehicle, and a wheel speed detection means for detecting the rotational speeds of the wheels of the vehicle, in that in the first and second required wheel speed ranges, the amount of electric power generated is reduced with increases in the wheel speed which has been detected by the wheel speed detection means, and in that the first required wheel speed and the second required wheel speed are set according to the particular angle of the accelerator of the vehicle and the particular rate of change in the accelerator angle. 